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Bishop Rock - The World's Smallest Island with a Building on It

Located at the westernmost tip of the Isles of Scilly in Cornwall, Bishop Rock is a small rock. The rock rises from a depth of 45 meters to expose a tip measuring only 46 meters in length and 16 meters in width. On this narrow ledge stands a 49 meters tall lighthouse. This uninhabited lighthouse has made Bishop Rock the world's smallest island with a building on it. The record is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Bishop Rock is so small that it has room for nothing more than the lighthouse. Building of the original iron lighthouse was begun in 1847. However, it was washed away before the construction could be completed. Later, a granite lighthouse was constructed which was completed in 1858. Bishop Rock was converted to automatic operation in 1991 and as a result the lighthouse became uninhabited. Today, there are ten floors below and inside the lighthouse.